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New body to police anti-dumping laws

Steel is one product that has been dumped on the Australian market in recent years.

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The Federal Government has announced a new anti-dumping commission, aimed at ensuring imported goods are not sold in Australia below the cost of manufacturing them.

It says Australian products including steel, chemicals, aluminium goods and paper have been affected by dumping in recent years.

The measures announced today include giving an extra $24 million to Customs so it can almost double the number of investigations into cases of dumping.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will not specify which nations are responsible for dumping products in Australia.

"We face dumping challenges from many nations, so this is not directed at any one country," she said.

"It's directed at making sure that our great manufacturing businesses get a fair go and there is a cop on the beat that can enforce the rules."

Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare says the measures will save Australian jobs.

"Boosting trade is critical to our success. One of the things that can harm that is dumping," he said.

"Dumping is cheating. It's where goods are imported at less than their real cost, and it can cost Australians their job, it can hurt Australian industries, and it can undermine confidence in free trade."

The Australian Workers Union says the commission will save save thousands of manufacturing jobs.

National secretary Paul Howes says steel, aluminium and paper have all been dumped on the market in recent years from countries in Asia and Western Europe.

"Finally we'll have a tough cop on the beat when it comes to dealing with those who cheat free trade," he said.

"We've seen in recent years a massive increase in the amount of illegal dumping occurring."